Page 25 of My Cowboy Boss
“Fornicate?”
I laugh. “Soon, and you can trust me on that, baby. I want to go tell our family.”
We ride back to the ranch and as soon as I see Marshall and Wilder outside the barn, I holler across to them, “I’m getting married!”
Wilder doesn’t look surprised at all, but Marshall looks at Arizona, then me. “How did you convince her to do that?”
I laugh at his teasing, but Arizona says, “It didn’t take much convincing.” She links her arm through mine.
“What’s happening?” River asks coming out of the house carrying the snake and followed by my mother who’s in the middle of telling him again she doesn’t want snakes in the house.
“Flint’s getting married,” Wilder says.
“Married!” Mom puts her hands up to her mouth. “Gavin! Come quick!” she calls over her shoulder.
My father runs out onto the porch wearing one boot and carrying a sock. “What got broken? Who got hurt?” He was used to asking that a lot when we first got to the ranch and went a little wild with all our newfound freedom.
I hold mine and Arizona’s linked hands up in the air. “We’re getting married.”
“Oh son…son…” he walks off the porch toward us. “Ouch…rock…” Then he wraps his arms around both of us. “My sweet kids. I love you to the ends of the earth and back again.”
He pats Arizona’s shoulder. “Welcome to the best family in the whole world. I’m happy to gain a daughter.”
She cries and then my mother cries.
I don’t cry. It’s the wind that’s bringing all that moisture to my eyes.
More of my brothers trickle toward the house and what started as our ordinary Monday becomes a day of celebration.
“I need to call my sister,” Arizona says.
“Let’s go get her,” I say. “She’s family now, too.”
Arizona
Two months later, I’m getting married. We decided to hold the ceremony at the ranch because we want our married life to start where we have family roots. His parents and brothers treat me like I’m one of them and I’ve been showered with so much affection. Not only did they welcome me with open arms even after I explained the whole truth, but they welcomed Aspen as well.
My soon-to-be mother-in-law insisted that my sister should move into one of the cabins on the ranch that they’re using to rent out to vacationers.
“She needs someone to look after her,” Frances had said in her don’t-argue tone. I think she was referring to looking after my sister’s heart rather than her health because her injuries from the accident have healed.
“There, it’s done,” Aspen says as she artfully twists the final strand of my hair. “You look beautiful.” Her lower lip quivers. “I’m sorry,” she whispers as she sets aside the curling iron to dab her eyes.
I stand and take her hand in mine. “I know.” Like her, I’m missing our parents more on this special day. “And I also know how hard it was for you to raise a teenager. You put your life on hold to support me.”
“You’re my sister,” she says firmly, and we share a tight hug. Then she wipes at the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. “Don’t. You’ll ruin your makeup and it’s almost time for me to walk you down the aisle, so we don’t have time to redo it.”
“I remember you holding my hand my first day of school because Mom and Dad both had to work and here you are holding my hand all these years later.”
We both share a half-laugh, half-sob and I fan my face with my hand.
“Come on, Sis. Let’s get you married.”
We walk to the back door, preparing to step outside where the ceremony is being held in the flower garden.
“I can’t believe I’m marrying such a wonderful man.” I grin at her. “And in case you’re interested, he has a lot of handsome, single brothers.”
“Not interested. I don’t know if I’ll ever date again after my ex did.” She shakes her head as the music begins to play.
